What do you really know about your dog’s sleeping behaviors?

There is something about watching your dog sleep that is comforting and sometimes even comical. Do you know that several of your dog’s sleep behaviors are similar to ours and others are inherent?

The average dog sleeps 12-13 hours per day. He may not look like it, but pups sleep even more! That’s almost half of his life! Dogs are adept at catching a few winks whenever they can. That way of napping is similar to Stage 1 sleep, where they sleep, but barely.

Sleep is a vital part of your dog’s health, physical and emotional well-being. It is during sleep that puppies grow, wounds heal, and energy is conserved and stored for what lies ahead.

Companion dogs kept indoors sleep longer and more soundly than dogs kept outdoors and working dogs. Outdoor dogs and working dogs try to get an extra nap here or there, but rarely relax enough to achieve healthy, deep, restful sleep.

Do dogs dream?

It seems that dogs follow sleep stages similar to humans. Stage 1, hardly sleeps. This is where most outdoor dogs, feral dogs, and working dogs sleep. In Stage 2, the animal’s blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and body temperature gradually decrease. Stage 3 is a transition state between light and deep sleep. Stage 4 is the slow wave stage where the dog is now typically unaware of its surroundings. If they wake up suddenly, they often seem confused. Stage 5 is where the fun begins! This is the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep. Here, your body relaxes, but your brain remains active. At this stage, your dog’s eyes roll back under their lids and they slowly drift into those dreams we find so amusing. They moan, growl, make licking and eating sounds and movements, whimper, bark, and/or appear to be chasing something.

Most indoor dogs spend up to 12% of their sleep time in REM. Puppies spend a higher percentage of time in REM. During this stage, puppies are thought to process and fuse what they are learning every day, into behaviors that they will follow.

Interestingly, smaller dogs tend to dream more than their larger cousins.

Shaking during sleep can be perfectly normal for the average dog. Dogs that have suffered trauma and puppies separated from their mother too soon may also tremble in their sleep. Tremors could also be an indicator of health problems in dogs, such as hypothyroidism, pain, chills, and gastrointestinal upset.

If your dog is shaking in his sleep, call him calmly and pet or touch him gently to reassure him that all is well. Don’t shake them to wake them up! It is not known if dogs have nightmares, but given the fact that many rescue dogs and those who have suffered severe physical and emotional trauma tremble in their sleep, a little reassurance goes a long way.

Favorite positions of a sleeping dog

Your dog’s sleeping position says a lot about him or her. Some like to sleep on their stomachs, almost like in a “down” position. This allows them to jump at the slightest perceived threat or the fact that they may be missing what you’re doing.

Others prefer to sleep on their side. This is a quiet position. Your dog is comfortable with his environment.

Then we have the sleeper “Superdog”. They choose to sleep stretched out, face down. It seems that they are flying. They’re in for a restful sleep, but ready to go as soon as they hear you move!

The most inherent sleeping position is curling up. You will see this as a favorite sleeping position for dogs that are kept outdoors. You’ll find them curled up in a ball, with their legs tucked under their bodies and their tails curled around their faces. It is the least vulnerable and least restorative position to sleep. They conserve body heat, protect the extremities, face, throat and vital organs. This position gives them the advantage of getting to their feet immediately. The dog’s muscles are tense and ready to spring into action, if necessary. Dogs that sleep in this position rarely relax enough to go into REM sleep.

Curling up is the normal sleeping position for wild dogs and wolves together. Offers a sleeping position for waking consciousness as your senses are heightened by movement, sound and smell. They conserve space in the studio; protect their offspring and share body heat. You will notice that even most domesticated puppies will snuggle together or around their mother.

Finally, we have what looks like the “dead cockroach” position. There are dogs that prefer to sleep on their backs; legs in the air… looking like a dead cockroach! This is the position only found in a very secure and confident indoor pet. Sleeping on its back is the most vulnerable position for a dog to sleep in. It is believed to be the most comfortable and calmest position. In addition, it is the way for your dog to cool off quickly. Indoor dogs that have expended a lot of energy and/or are overheated will sleep on their backs.

The back sleeping position has not been observed as a behavior exhibited by dogs or wolves in the wild. Dogs that are kept outdoors will also not sleep in this position. This position sends a message of vulnerability and submission.

It should be noted; dogs that sleep on their backs with their paws “protecting” their chest indicate that they prefer not to be disturbed. Be careful suddenly waking any dog ​​sleeping in this position!

Now that you know more about what happens when your dog sleeps, you’ll have an idea of ​​his confidence and sense of well-being. Also, it will give you a clue as to why your dog is behaving like this when he is awake.

Simply put: comfort equals healthier, longer, deeper sleep. Whichever sleeping position your dog prefers, make sure his sleeping spots are safe and comfortable. A dog that is well rested is generally healthier and happier.